Carton setup machine



Oct. 13, 1953 M. BURGER 2,655,081

CARTON SETUP MACHINE Filed July 20, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR.

Oct. 13, 1953 M. BURGER CARTON SETUP MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJuly 20, 1948 4 INVENTOR. 2272 5117:9671

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CARTON SETUP MACHINE Filed July 20, 1948 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN V EN TOR.

flarfaz Faye M. BURGER CARTON SETUP MACHINE Oct. 13, 1953 10Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed July 20, 1948 INVENTOR. fla/"Zfiz 5242:9627

Patented Oct. 13, 1953 CARTON SETUP MACHINE Martin Burger, Morris, 111.,assignor to General Package Corporation, a. corporation of DelawareApplication July 20, 1948, Serial No. 39,688

39 Claims.

This invention is concerned with mechanism for assembling and erectingegg cartons of the type which when set up provide two rows of eggreceiving compartments arranged on opposite sides of a medial doublewalled partition, and closing flaps which are adapted to be folded overthe respective rows of compartments to provide separate covers for therows of eggs.

The carton which the mechanism of the present invention is particularlydesigned to assemble and erect comprises a body constructed from asingle sheet of paperboard which is transversely scored to permit it tobe folded to form a double medial partition wall, side walls and coverflaps, and which is provided with two rows of transversely spaced slotsor apertures, each slot extending into the medial partition wall and oneside wall, and a plurality of separate cross walls constituting thecross divisions which are adapted to be inserted through the rows ofregistering slots to separate the space on opposite sides of the medialpartition into a plurality of individual egg receiving cells orcompartments.

Heretofore in the shipment of cartons of this general character it hasbeen customary to properly score and cut the body blanks, to fold eachblank about a medial line and insert through the registering slots a setof cross partition members, to nest the cross partition members intoflatwise overlapped relation and to fold back over the same the sidewall and cover forming portions of the carton into flatwise orknocked-down relation so that a consignment of cartons will occupy but asmall space during shipment. When received in this condition it has beennecessary for the user to set up the carton by spreading the crosspartition members into transverse relation and hooking the ends of thesame into the side wall forming portions of the carton in the intendedmanner to provide the rows of compartments after which the eggs may beinserted and the cover members folded over the top to close the carton.Machines for automatically assembling the cartons and their crosspartition members in knocked-down condition and separate machines forsubsequently setting up the knockdown cartons have been deviseed.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a singlemachine or mechanism for assembling the body blanks and the separatecross partition members and for simultaneously erecting the cartons incompletely assembledand erected form ready for the egg filling operationwhereby the carton supplier is enabled to ship the carton blanks and thecross partition members in completely flat and unassembled condition,which results in considerable saving of shipping space, and whereby theuser of the cartons may be supplied with the machine for installation atthe point of use to automatically assemble and completely erect thecartons in one operation.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a singlemachine or mechanism for the purpose described which comprises means forreceiving and successively feeding from a stack thereof the carton bodyforming blanks, means for feeding from a plurality of stacks therequired number of cross partition forming blanks in the proper relationfor assembly with the respective body forming blanks, means locatedintermediate the carton body blank and cross partition feeding meansadapted to present the successive body blanks in partially foldedcondition with the slots in the medial partition and side walls inregistry for receiving the cross partition blanks, and means forcompleting the insertion of the cross partition blanks and the erectionof the carton.

It is a still more specific object of the invention to provide a machinefor the purpose described which comprises a generally rectangular framestructure having an oscillatable mandrel extending transverselyintermediate its ends, a feeding mechanism for successively deliveringbody blanks to the mandrel from one end of the frame, a feedingmechanism for successively delivering a plurality of partition formingblanks in edgewise transversely aligned and spaced relation to themandrel from the other end of the machine and for thereafter insertingthe partition blanks in aligned slots in a body blank on the mandrel anda folding head mounted for movement in timed relation toward and fromthe mandrel to hold successive body blanks on the mandrel for receptionof the partition blanks and thereafter to fold the body blanks about thepartiticn blanks in interlocking relation therewith and to transfer thecompletely assembled and erected cartons to a mechanism for deliveryfrom the machine.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the preferred form of the machine which is shown by wayof illustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carton erecting and assembling machineincorporating therein the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine with portions thereof brokenaway;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line*99"of Fig.5;

Fig. 10 is a section takenon theslineslfl- -lfl of Fig.5;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on.the line. ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view showmg thei relative position of the:carton body forming blank and the transverse partition forming blanksatonestage in the operationof the machine;

Fig. 13 is a schematic elevation in a longitudinal directionshowing the.relative position of the carton forming members;-

Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are schematic views similar to Fig. 13illustrating different stageseof operation of themachinea Fig. 18 is aplan view of-a bodyforming .blank which is-adaptedfor use inthe machine;

Fig. 19 isa plan view showing the body. blank folded about the medialline;

Fig. 20 is a plan .view ofa cross partitioniorming blank which isadapted. for use withv the body blanks of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 21 isa perspectiveview of acompletely assembled carton.

The machine of the present. invention is particularly designed toassemble andreectacarton ofthe type which is. disclosed in my copendingapplication Serial No. 26,331., filed-.May 11, 1948; A carton ofthisgeneral type,.as.-illustratedin Figs. 18 to 21 of thedrawingsyincludes. algenerally rectangular. body. forming blank "I (Fig.18) which ispreferably scored. and. out from paperboard stock.-

The blank I 0. is provided .with-amedial. transverse score line II,.which.permits.it tobeiblded upon itself (Fig. 19) for shipmentandlalsofor U insertion inthe machine,. and with. spaced par allel scorelines 12, I3. andl tiarranged on.opposite sides. of. the medial score.line- H. The blank 10 is adapted to befoldedaboutlthe score lines whenthe carton is. erected to. provide. a carton body havingv in crosssection thegenerali form of the letter W.

The portions IE or the blank Ill between the. medial score line I I andthe adjacent score lines.

members for the two rows of egg,- receiving.

The portions 21 and 22. between thescore lines 14 and the ends 23 and,respec-- pockets.

tively, of the blanks areadaptedto'provide tucking tongues. or flaps forthe-cover members 20,

the flap forming portion 2|- havingits corners.

cut away on an obliqueline-at 25.- Alplurality of circular aperture 26are spaced, along. the

For

,4 medial score line ll. Two rows of transversely spaced slots 21 areprovided in the blank which slots extend longitudinally on oppositesides of the transverse score lines I2. The slots 21 are arranged onopposite sides of the medial partition forming portions of the blank sothat the slots in one row are aligned or registered with thecorresponding slots" in' theother row when the blank is folded about"-the medial line H (Fig. 19).

The carton also includes a plurality of cross partition or cross wallforming members 28 which are" preferably formed of paperboard material;Each cross wall member 28 is of genera'lly'rectangular' form having anupper edge 29 and a bottom edge 30, the latter being pro vided. withrounded corners. The side edges extend vertically from the bottom at 3|and are notched or provided with inwardly and downwardly extendingslotse 32. The upper portion of. one: side edge 34- is cut. away on anoblique line at 33.' A vertical slot 34 extends downwardly inthecenterregion from the upper edge 29.. One edge/0f thematerial definingthe slot 34 is cutalonganoblique line 35 to provide a flared openingwhile the. opposite edge of the material is provided. with a lugformation or looking shoulder 36.which.extends partly across theentrance tothe slot'3'4.

In assemblingthe carton the cross wall forming members are first alignedwith and inserted in theslots 21in the body forming blank 10, afterwhich they are moved-to position the medial partition. forming portionsof the body 10. in theslots 34 with the locking shoulders 36extendinginto. the semi-circular notches provided by the. apertures25,-. and finally the'side wall forming portions l9.of.the body H) arepositioned tov bringtheouter ends of the slots 21 intointerengaging.relationin the slots 32'v of the cross wall. members 28.The carton is then completely erectediand ready tobe filled with eggs.

Referring, more particularly. to. Figs. 1. to -11 of. the. drawings,therev is illustrated an automatic machine which is adapted to assemblethe requirenumber of. cross. wallmembers 28 with successivelypresentedlbody forming blanks m andv to deliver the completely set-upcartonsin a continuous manner.

The machine comprises a rectangular top frame. 3]. supported on. founlegs. 38 and a rectangular. bottomi'rame. 39. connected at. the fourcorners to the.legs.38. Atop. plate 49. at one end of. the. frame 31supports four upstanding angle members 4| which form a verticalcompartment'for. receiving a: stack of' the carton body blanks Hl-inthe. folded-condition illustrated in Fig. 19; the blanks Ill-being.positioned with the folded edges in adirection. toward. the center ofthe machine, the end-or trailing edges being in the-direction. towardthe front end of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1,,and the side of the.

folded blankhaving the. cornerscut away at 25 being uppermost.

A pair. of. reciprocating. pushers 42 are. provided, having abutmentshoulders 43 on their.

longitudinally extending'guide bars- 41 which are The pushers42reciprocate in secured at their ends 48 on opposite sides of the slots44 and in spaced relation below the top plate 46]. The cross bar it isprovided on its ends with depending brackets 49, which are pivotallyconnected to links 50. The links 5E1 are pivotally connected to the endsof arms 5i which are secured to a cross shaft 52 journaled in sidebearing brackets 53 which depend from the top frame members 31. An arm54 secured on the shaft 52 is pivotally connected to one end of anadjustable operating link 55 which is provided with a forked end 56which straddles the transversely mounted cam shaft 5'! and which isreeiprocated by a cam roller 58 secured adjacent the forked end 56 andoperating in a cam track 59 in a face cam ti] on the cam shaft 51.

The transverse cam shaft 53 is journaled in side brackets EiI whichproject upwardly from the side rails of the bottom frame 39 of themachine. The oam shaft 5'? is adapted to be driven in any suitablemanner from a suitable source of power and constitutes the main drivefor the machine, all the operating mechanisms being driven by means ofsprockets or cams mounted on this shaft.

The pushers 42 are reciprooated to feed the carton body blanks Iii, oneby one, from the bottom of the compartment formed by the verticalmembers 4!, the forward flanges of the two forward vertical members 4Ibeing cut away at the base thereof at $2 to provide clearance for asingle blank It).

The blanks IEI are delivered by the pushers 42 into the bite of pairs ofcooperating feed rollers 63, 611 which are mounted in spaced relation onthe transverse shafts 65 and fit, respectively. The shafts 65 and 56 arearranged immediately adjacent the forward vertical members ii in po'sition for the feed rollers 63, 5 2 to receive the folded edge of eachsuccessive carton blank It) as it passes through the cut away portion6?. at the base of the forward vertical members GI. The shaft 35 isjournaled in upstanding spring pressed bearing supports El mounted onthe side members of frame The shaft 68 is journaled in bearing brackets6% depending from frame 3'? beneath the bearing supports $1. The lowershaft is provided with a drive sprocket 69 which is connected by a chainiii with a sprocket lI secured on the transverse power shaft 51. Shaftst5 and 66 are provided adjacent the one end with intermeshing pinions orgears I2 and "It.

The top plate member til terminates adjacent the forward verticalmembers M with a central portion M extending a short distance forwardlybetween the pairs of feed rollers E3, E4 and with side portions ?5extending forwardly the same distance along the outer sides of the pairsof feed rollers 63, 5 The plate extensions M and i5 form bottom guideand supporting means for the central and side portions of the foldedcarton blank It. Top side guide members is are mounted on the forwardvertical members 4i and extend in spaced relation above the plateextensions l5 a sufficient distance to accommodate the folded blank asit passes between the feed rollers 63, 6d. The top guide members l6extend somewhat beyond the bottom guide plate extensions l5 and theirinside edges are cut away on an oblique line 7'7 at the ends thereof fora purpose which will be described.

The carton blank It is delivered by the pairs of feed rollers 63, 64 toan oscillating mandrel It which is mounted on a shaft "I9 extendin 6 Itransversely of the central portion of the ma chine. The shaft I9 isjournaled adjacent its ends in upstanding bearing brackets 82 which aresupported on the side members of the top frame 31 of the machine.

The mandrel I8 is provided with an axially extending slot having anoutwardly opening V- shaped portion BI and an inwardly extendingrelatively short narrow rectangular portion 82. In the initial blankreceiving position the mandrel 18 is positioned with the slot portioniii opening toward the feed rollers 63, 64 and at a slight upward anglefrom the horizontal. In this position the mandrel I8 is adapted toreceive the folded edge portion of the carton blank in the slot portion82 as the blank is moved forward by the feed rolls 63, 64. The mandrelI8 is also provided with a plurality of transverse slots 83 which areaxially spaced to correspond with the transverse spacing of the slots 21in the carton blank I0 and which extend transversely across the greaterportion of the mandrel (Figs. 4 and 5) The mandrel shaft IQ is providedadjacent one end with an arm 84 (Fig. 2) which is pivotally connected toone end of an adjustable link 85. The other end of the link I35 ispivotally con nected to one end of a cam arm 86. The cam arm 86 ispivoted at its other end on a bracket 8: (Fig. 10) which is supported ona cross bar of lowor frame 39 and is provided with a cam roller 36operating in a cam track of the double face cam 26 which is mounted onthe cam shaft 5?. The shaft I9 is oscillated by rotation of the cam 90to provide for intermittent movement of the mandrel I8 between thecarton blank receiving position (Fig. 5) and a position in which theslot portions BI and 82 extend in a vertical direction (Fig. 14). In thelatter position the carton blank is partially opened out and the crosspartition forming members 28 are assembled therewith by mechanism whichwill be described.

A supporting plate member 2| is provided on the top of frame 31 at therear end of the machine and a plurality of angle members as extendupwardly therefrom (Figs. 4 and 5) which are arranged to provide sevencompartments es extending transversely in a row adjacent the end of themachine. The angle members 92 are held in vertical position by upper andlower rectangular frame members as and 95. The lower frame 95 is securedto the plate member 95 some dis tance above the same. Each compartmentes is adapted to receive a stack of the partition forming blanks 28arranged in flatwise relation and in the relative position shown in Fig.12.

The partition blanks 28 are fed from the soon partments 93 by pusherplates 86. The pusher plates 96 reciprocate beneath the compartments 93on the top surface of the supporting plate 9i. Each plate 95 is providedwith an intermediate shoulder 91 on its top surface and a recessedportion 98 upon which a single blank 28 is seated for delivery out ofthe stack and into an erecting area 99 (Fig. 4) immediately adjacent thecompartment 93 on the side toward the center of the machine.

Each pusher plate 96 is secured at one end to a cross bar I00 which ismovable on the supporting plate 9 I. A slot MI is provided in thesupporting plate 9| beneath the path of movement of each pusher plate96. A cross bar I02 extends crosswise of the machine beneath thesupporting plate 9| and the pusher plates 96 are connected theretothrough the slots IGI. The cross bar I92 is pro vided with a dependingbracket I 03 which is pivotally connected to one end of a link I04. Theother end of the link I04 is pivotally connected to the end of one arm Iof a bell crank mounted for pivotal movement on the cross bar I06 whichis supported by side brackets I01 (Fig. 2). The other arm I08 of thebell crank is connected to one end of an adjustable cam rod I09 (Figs. 5and 11). The rod I09 is provided with a forked end IIO which straddlesthe power shaft 51 and with a laterally extending cam roller III whichtravels in the cam track II2 of the face cam I I3 secured on the powershaft 51. Rotation of the shaft 51 thus provides reciprocating movementof the pusher plates 96 for feeding the partition blanks 26 from thecompartments 93.

As the partition blanks 28 are moved out of the compartments 93 by thefeed plates 96 the blanks are held in a flatwise position by springs II4 and return movement is prevented by depending stop members II5 whichare pivotally mounted on brackets II 6 secured to the forward verticalmembers 92. The stop members II5 are moved upwardly by the blanks 28 asthey pass beneath the same after which they drop into the path ofmovement of the blanks and prevent return movement of the same.

Upstanding pins I I1 provide stops for limiting the movement of theblanks 28 in the forward direction while the blanks are in flatwiseposition. The blanks 28 are confined laterally of the. machine by.transversely spaced vertical plate members IIB which separate theerecting areas 99. Each plate member I I8 constitutes a verticalabutment against which the respective blanks are moved as they aretilted about the top edges 29 to bring them into vertical edgewiseposition for further movement toward the center of the machine.

The partition blanks 28 are erected or turned on edge against the plateI I8 by a series of arms II9 (Figs. 5 and 9) which are pivotally mountedat I on a fixed cross bar |2I depending beneath the plate 5|. The armsII9 are pivotally connected at I22 to a transverse operating plate I23.Each arm member H9 is adapted to pivot about the point I23 to projectits end through a transverse slot I24 in the plate 9| to engage theblank 28 and tilt the same about the edge 29 into vertical positionagainst the plate H8. The blanks 29 are retained in the verticalposition by fingers I25 each of which is pivoted at I26 to a cross barI21 supported at its ends by angle members I23 (Fig. 5) mounted on theframe 94. Each finger I25 has a limited pivotal movement between stoppins I29 and I30 being normally positioned with its free end projectinginto the path of movement of the blank 23 as it is moved into verticalposition by the erecting arm II9. Movement of the blank 28 lifts thefinger I25 out of the way until the blank 28 is in the verticalpositionwhereupon the finger I25 is free to drop back into normal position toprevent return movement of the blank 28. v

The blank erecting arms I I9 are rotated about the pivots I20 bymovement of the cross bar I23. The bar I23 is provided with a downwardlyprojecting arm I3I carrying on its end a cam roller I32 which is held inengagement with a cam plate I33 by operation of a spring I34 secured atone end to the end of plate I23 and at the other end to a pin I35depending from the fixed cross bar I2I.

The cam plate I33 is secured on the end of a stub shaft I36 which isjournaled in a depending bracket I31 and provided at its other end witha miter pinion I38 which is driven by a cooperating miter pinion I39 ona transverse shaft I40. The shaft I40 is supported by depending endbrackets MI and is driven by means of a sprocket I42 secured thereon anda chain I43 which is in turn driven by a sprocket I 44 (Fig. 10) securedon the power shaft 51.

The vertical plate members |I8 are extended towards the center of themachine to form one side of narrow guideways in which the blanks 23travel as they are moved toward the mandrel 18. The extended portions ofeach plate I I0 comprise a rear end portion I45 and a front end portionI46, the latter terminating in an upwardly angled extension I41 whichoverlies a portion of the mandrel 18 and is curved at the bottom at I48to conform to the surface of the mandrel 13. Cooperating vertical plateshaving rear end portions I49 and front end portions I50 which arearranged in spaced relation to the corresponding plate portions I45 andI46, respectively, form the other side of the guideways for the blanks28. The center guideway is substantially straight longitudinally of themachine, and aligns with the center one of the slots 83 in the mandrel18. The guideways on each side of the center one have the rear endportions converging toward the center of the machine and the front endportions in spaced parallel relation and in alignment with therespective slots 83 in the mandrel 18 so that a partition blank 28 isguided from each erecting area 99 to a slot 83.

The main portion of plate 9| underlies and supports the rear endguideway forming memaers I45 and I49 which are secured to the plate 9|by brackets I5I. A central extension I52 on the plate 9| underlies andsupports the front end guideway forming members I46 and I50 which aresecured to the plate extension I52 by brackets I53. The length of theguideway is such that there are always two transverse rows of partitionblanks 28 positioned in the guideways for movement towards the mandrel18.

The partition blanks 28 are moved from the erecting areas 99 adjacentthe compartments 93 into the narrow guideways by a cross bar I54 (Fig.5) which is connected by side bars I55 and angle members I56 to thecross bar I00 which carries the blank feed plates 96 so that the erectedblanks 28 are moved out of the erecting area 99 as the blank feed plates96 feed the next set of partition blanks 28 into position for erectionby the arms H9. The preceding rows of the partition blanks 28 in theguideways are simultane ously moved towards the mandrel 18 by transversepusher bars I51 and I58. The pusher bars I 51 and I58 are angular incross section and are connected at their sides by longitudinallyextending side members I59. Each of the side members I59 is pivotallyconnected at I60 to a side member I55 so that the pusher bars I54, I51and I58 and the blank feed plates 96 are moved towards and from themandrel 18 simultaneously.

The pusher bars I51 and I36 are given a compound movement by means ofcam rollers |6I which are mounted adjacent the ends of the pusher barI51 on the side members I59 and which are operative in a movable camtrack I62. The cam tracks I62 are supported for vertical movement bypairs of parallel links I 63 and I64 (Fig. 2). Links I63 are pivoted atI65 to the cam track I62 and at I66 to the side members of the top frame31 of the machine. Links I64 are pivoted at the upper ends at I61 to thecam tracks I62 and secured at the lower endsto stub shafts I68 journaledin the frame members of the machine. The stub shafts I68 have securedthereto arms I69 which are pivotally connected at I10 to links I1I whichare in turn pivotally connected at I12 to arms I13 secured on the endsof the mandrel carrying shaft 19. By means of this arrangementoscillation of the shaft 19 raises and lowers the cam tracks I62 and thepusher bars I51 and I58. The vertical movement of the pusher bars I51and I58 is coordinated with the reciprocation of the bars to provide afour-motion feed for moving the partition forming blanks 28 toward themandrel 18.

A folding and gripping head I14 is provided for cooperation with themandrel 18 to hold the successive carton body members I in position onthe mandrel 18 while the cross partition blanks 28 are assembled withthe same and for thereafter removing the assembled carton in partiallyset-up condition to a folding member which cooperates therewith tocomplete the setting up of the carton.

The folding head I14 is shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 in an intermediatewithdrawing position with the gripping members engaging the partiallyerected carton while it is being carried away from the mandrel 18. InFigs. '1 and 8 the folding head is shown in detail to an enlarged scalewith the gripping members thereof in the position they assume when thecarton has been released and removed from the head.

The folding head I14 comprises a U-shaped cross frame having a bightportion or member I15 extending transversely of the machine and sidearms I16. The ends of the side arms I16 are pivoted at I11 to supportingbrackets I18 mounted on the top plate 40 at opposite sides of themachine (Fig. 4). The side arms I16 are pivotally connected at I19 tothe ends of adjustable links I80 (Fig. 2). The other ends of the linksI80 are pivotally connected at I8I to arms I82. The arms I82 are pivotedat I83 to brackets E84 supported on opposite sides of the bottom framestructure 39. A cam roller I85 (Fig. on the one arm I82 operates in acam track I86 in the double face cam 90 while a similar cam roller I81on the opposite arm I 82 operates in a cam track I80 in the face cam I89which is mounted on the power shaft 51. The cam tracks E86 and I88 areidentical and provide for oscillation of the head I14 in proper timedrelation to the operation of the mandrel 18 and the cross partition feedmeans.

A plurality of generally w-shaped strap members 590 are attached to thecross frame member I at one end and extend forwardly of the same intransversely spaced relation to provide folding and shaping elements forthe bottom of the carton, the spaces between the strap members i90permitting the insertion of the cross partition blanks 28 while thestrap members I90 are in holding relation relative to the mandrel 18.

Each of the strap members I90 is provided with a smaller strap member I!which is secured to one leg of the member I90 and which is provided witha curved end I92 extending below and away from the bottom of the memberI90 as shown in Fig. 8. A cross bar I93 is secured adjacent the crossframe member I15 on the strap members I90 and a plurality of relativelynarrow L-shaped members I94 are arranged in upstanding transverselyspaced relation, as shown in Fig. 8, in the spaces between the strapmembers I90, for a purpose which will be described. I i i v A cross rodI95 is provided which is journaled in bearing brackets I96 which areattached to the side members I16 adjacent the ends of the cross framemember I15. The rod I95 carries a pair of spaced forwardly extendingarms I91, the ends of which are bent at a slight upward angle andattached to a cross bar I98. The cross bar I98 is provided on its lowerface with a plurality of small angle brackets I99, the downwardlyprojecting legs of which constitute the fixed jaws of a plurality ofgrippers for engaging the cross partition blanks 28. The cross bar I98is provided with a plurality of spaced slots 200 which are adapted toreceive pivotal members having portions 20I depending below the pivots202 which constitute the movable jaws of the grippers and upstandingportions or arms 203 which are pivotally connected at 204 to anoperating bar 205. Tension springs 206 are connected between the pivotpoints 204 and fixed posts 201 on the cross bar I 98. The springs 206urge the gripper jaws I 99 and 20I into closed gripping relation.

The cross bar 205 is provided at an intermediate point with a cam roller208 which is adapted to ride on a cam surface 209. The cam 209 ismounted on a bracket 2| 0 which is secured to and projects upwardly froman intermediate one of the strap members I99. The cam 209 is shaped tocause the bar 205 to move in an axial direction to pivot the gripperjaws 201 to the open position. The cam roller 208 is urged into contactwith the cam 209 by a tension spring 2i I which is connected at one end2I2 to the bar 205 and at the other end 2I3 to one of the arms I91. Acoiled torsion spring 2| 4 on the cross rod I95 is secured at the oneend 2I5 to the arm I91 and at the other end 2I6 to the cross bar I15 tourge the arms I91 and the gripper structure carried thereon away fromthe strap members I90.

The cross shaft I95 is extended at one end and an operating arm 2| 1 issecured thereon. The arm 2I1 is provided at its free end on the insideface thereof, with a cam roller 2I8 and intermediate its ends, on theoutside face thereof, with another cam roller 2I9. The cam roller 2I8 isadapted to engage a fixed cam 22!] to hold the gripper assembly in openposition while the head I14 moves down into engagement with the cartonbody blank on the mandrel 18. The cam 220 is formed on the end of abracket member 22I which is supported in a vertical position on the topplate 40 at one side of the machine. An L-shaped gripper release oractuator member 222 is pivotally mounted at 223 on an upstanding bracketmember 224 which is supported on the top plate 40 adjacent the bracketmember 22L A rest 225 is provided on the top of the bracket member 22!to limit the movement in the forward direction of the L-shaped member222, by engagement with the upper portion or leg 226 of the member 222.A stop member 221 is provided on the side member of the top frame 91which limits the movement of the L-shaped member by engagement with thelower portion or leg 228 of the member 222. The leg 228 is providedadjacent its end with a cam roller 229 which is adapted to be moved intothe path of the cam plate 230 when the leg 226 is pivotedcounterclockwise about the pivot point 229 (Fig. 2) by engagement withthe cam roller 2 I8. The cam plate 230 is mounted on the end of thecontinuously rotating shaft 65.

When the folding head I14 is in the blank holding position relative tothe mandrel 18 and the cross partition blanks 28 are moved into theslots 83 by forward movement of the pusher bar I58 the cam plate 230engages the cam roller 229 to close the gripper jaws I99 and 20! on theblanks 23 and thereafter to move the cross partition blanks 28 intofully inserted position. The cu t-away corners 33 on the trailing edgesof the blanks 28 permit the blanks 28 to clear the bottom of theguideways as they are moved into final position. The pusher bar !58 isimmediately retracted sufficiently to avoid interference with subsequentremoval of the carton from the mandrel 1B. When the folding head !14 ismoved away from the mandrel 18 the gripper assembly is retained in theoperative position by action of the torsion spring H4 and the partiallyset-up carton is carried upwardly away from the mandrel 18.

When the folding head I14 reaches its uppermost position and the foldingoperations are completed, the cam plate 230 strikes the cam roller 229and pivots the actuator member 222 clockwise about the point 223 toengage the bring the slot portions 9! and 82 into upwardly openingposition. In the latter position the uppermost half of the folded blankI extends substantially vertically from the mandrel 18 while thelowermost half extends substantially horizontally. As the folding headI14 moves into engagement with the blank I0 the portion !9 of thehorizontally extending half of the blank I0 is engaged by the curved endI92 of the member !9! on the head !14 and folded downward around thecurved surface of the mandrel 18 so that when the partition blanks 28are moved by the gripper assembly into their final position the slots 21in body blank portion l9 will interengage with the slots 32 in thepartition blanks.

When the folding head I14 moves upwardly away from the mandrel 18 (Figs.2, 3 and with the cross partition members 28 engaged by the gripper jawsI99 and the carton is in assembled condition except for the one sidewall portion I9 which must be moved to bring the slots 21 intointerlocking engagement with the slots 32 in the ends of the partitionblanks 28. As the head I14 nears the limit of its upward movement theside wall portion I9 is moved into contact with a fixed folding device23! which is supported on the forward vertical members 4! (Figs. 5 and6).

The folding device 23! comprises a U-shaped frame having the nightportion 232 secured to the vertical members 4! and the legs 233projecting upwardly with their ends connected by a cross bar 234. Arms235 are secured :to the cross bar 234 and extend forwardly anddownwardly to another bar 236 extending transversely of the machine andhaving pairs of spaced curved spring fingers 231 extending forwardly inparallel relation at opposite ends. A rod 238 is secured to eachupstanding leg 233which extendsforwarda 1y into the space between thespring fingers 231. The rods 238. are each provided. with. a dependingabutment member 239 adjacent the outer end thereof which extendsdownwardly below the spring fingers 231. As the folding head I14 movesupwardly the side wall forming portion !9 of the body blank is forcedinto hooked relation in the end slots 32 of the cross partition formingblanks 28 by operation of the abutment members 239 and spring fingers231.

A cross rod or shaft'240 is rotatably mounted on uprights 24! which aresupported on the side members of the top frame 31 on the side of themandrel 18 opposite the path of the folding head I14. A pair oflaterally spaced guide arms 242 are secured intermediate their ends tothe cross shaft 240 with the portion 243 which projects on the one sideof the cross shaft 24!] extending in slightly curved relation arelatively short distance. The guide arms 242 limit the movement of theside and cover flap portion of the carton body blank in a directionforwardly of the mandrel 18 while the carbon is being erected on themandrel and removed therefrom and prevent interference with thepreceding carton. A cross bar 244 connects the upright supportingmembers 24! at an intermediate point and also operates as a stop orsupport for the side and cover flap portions of the body blank while itis on the mandrel 18.

A cross frame comprising vertically extending side members 245 and a topcross member 246 is provided parallel to and spaced from the frameformed by the vertical side members 24! and the cross. bar 244. The sidemembers 245 are supported on the side members of the frame 31 and arebraced by frame members 241 to the side members 24!. A cross rod orshaft 242 is journaled in the side frame members 245 at a height ofslightly above the cross shaft 249. A U- shaped frame comprising a crossrod 249 and side arms 25!! is secured at the ends of the side arms 250to the shaft 248. The cross rod 249 has secured thereon laterally spacedupwardly opening V-shaped supporting members 25! which are adapted toreceive the fully assembled carton when it is released from. the foldinghead !.14. The cross. shafts 240 and 243 are extended at one end andprovided with sprockets 252 and 253, respectively, which are connectedby a drive chain 254 to provide parallel movement of the arms 2.42 and250'. An arm 255 is secured at one end to the shaft 248. and pivotallyconnected at the other end 256 to the. upper end of a link 251. Thelower end of link 251 is. pivotally connected at 258 to. one end of anarm 259, the other end of which is. pivoted at 260 to. a bracket 26!depending from the machine frame 9?. The arm 259 is. provided with a camroller 262 which travels inthe cam track 253 in the cam 264. which ismounted on the driven shaft !40.

The completed cartons. are discharged, by upward swinging movement ofthe arms 250, into a chute above the machine, which chute is formed by acurved bottom plate member 295 (Fig. 1) and a pair of laterally spacedgenerally parallel curved stripping members 296 arranged in spacedrelation above the plate 265. The plate 265. is supported at oneend bybrackets 261 extending upwardly from thecross frame member 246 and atthe other end by the bottom member 268 of a rectangular cross, framewhich is supported in a vertical position, by uprights. 269 secured tothe bottom cross frame member 268 at their upper ends. and; to.vertical. members 92 at their lower ends. The top member 219 of, thiscross frame supports the rearward ends of the stripping members 266. Thestripping members 266 are supported adjacent their forward ends bybrackets 2'II which are connected to top cross member 272 of atransversely extending inverted U- shaped frame having side framemembers 213 secured at their lower ends to the cross frame member M6.The stripping members 266 are connected by a cross bar 214 at theforward end which constitutes the entrance end of the chute. Side bracemembers 2T5 connect the forward and rearward side frame members 2'13 and216, respectively.

The operation of the machine in assembling the cross partition blanks 28with the body forming blanks if) and completely erecting the carton isillustrated schematically in Figs. 12 to 17.

Referring to Figs. 12 and 13 particularly, the compartment or magazineformed by the vertical members II is supplied with a stack of the bodyforming blanks It which have been folded as illustrated in Fig, 19. Theblanks Ii) are positioned in the stack with the side uppermost which isprovided with the oblique corners at 25 and with the folded edge in adirection towards the center of the machine. The feed members 42 arereciprocated to move the lowermost blanks suecessively from thecompartment to the continuously operating feed rollers 63 and 64. As thefeed rollers 63 and 64 move the blank forward the oscillating mandrel 78is moved to the blank receiving position with the slots 8! and 82opening toward the feed rollers 63 and 54 and at a slight upward angle.The folded edge of the blank Iii is moved into the rectangular slotportion 82. Because of the angular position of the slot 82 some tensionis applied to the blank, tending to urge it in an upward direction. Theblank is restrained from any movement in the upward direction byengagement of the trailing edge with the feed rollers 53 and 64 and theside guide members it until the blank is moved, by oscillation of themandrel iii, to pull the trailing edge away from the rollers 63 and 64and from beneath the guide plates It (Fig. 4)

Prior to oscillation of the mandrel I3 to the upwardly opening orassembling and erecting position a plurality of cross partition blanks28 are moved into position adjacent the mandrel E8 on the side of themandrel opposite that on which the blank I ii is fed. In the illustratedmachine a supply of the blanks 28 are arranged as shown in Fig. 12 inthe seven compartments or magazines 93 at the other end of the machine.The feeding of the blanks 28 is coordinated with the movement of themandrel IB and three sets or rows of blanks are handled simultaneouslyby the blank feeding mechanism. When the body blank I ii is delivered tothe mandrel I8 three rows of blanks 28 are positioned in spaced relationto the guideways leading up to the mandrel 18. As the mandrel It isoscillated to the upward position the pusher bars I54, I51 and I58 arein the retracted position with the bars I! and I58 also in the raisedposition. Upon oscillation of the mandrel I8 to the upright position thepusher bars I57 and I58 are lowered as in Fig. 14 so that all three ofthe bars are in position to move the rows of blanks 28 toward themandrel simultaneously. The feed plates 96 for feeding the blanks 23from the supply compartments 93 are in the withdrawn position.

As the mandrel It: turns to the assembling and erecting position theblank IE! is moved from beneath the top feed rollers 63 and theuppermost side of the blank I0 is released by the side guide plates I6by reason of the cut-away corner portions 25 of the blank and thecut-away portions TI of the guide plates 18 to permit the uppermost sideto spring upwardly and forwardly into engagement with the cross bar 244and the lower ends 2&3 of the pivoted arms 242. The lowermost side ofthe blank Iii is prevented from moving upwardly by the side guide platesit, being held in a horizontal position and free of the bottom platemembers 14 and "55 so that it may be moved downwardly. The folding headm, which is in the raised position in Fig. 13, is moved down toward themandrel it as the mandrel turns, to a holding position closely adjacentthe top of the mandrel when the mandrel has completed its movement tothe position indicated in Fig. 14. In this position the end I92 of theplate [ti on the mandrel engages the lowermost side of the blank I9 andmoves it downwardly toward the curved surface of the mandrel IS. The barI98 on the mandrel which carries the cooperating gripper jaws I99 and 2%is in the raised position with the gripper jaws open.

When the mandrel l8 and the folding head I14 are in the position shownin Fig. 14 the pusher bars I54, I5! and I58 are moved forwardly toinsert the row of partition members 28 which is adjacent the mandrel I8into the transverse slots 83 in the mandrel and the slots 2? in the bodyblank it which are aligned therewith as shown in Fig. 15. Thereafter thefolding head I It is moved downwardly towards the mandrel I8 intoclamping engagement with the body blank It]. The gripper carrying barI98 is moved downwardly to bring the gripper jaws into gripping relationwith the members 28 and to move the members 28 further downwardly andbackwardly relative to the mandrel I8. This movement of the members 28causes the double walled partition portions of the blank II) to bepositioned in engagement in the slots 3 in the blanks 23. It also causesthe lowermost side wall portion of the blank III to be positioned ininterlocking engagement in the slots 32 in the leading edges of theblanks 28. In this position the cross wall members 28 and the body blankiii are completely assembled in interengaging relation except for theengagement of the uppermost side Wall portion in the slots 32 in thetrailing edges of the members 28.

I claim:

1. A. machine for assembling and erecting a cellular carton of the typewhich is characterized by a foldable body forming blank and a pluralityof cross partition forming blanks which are adapted to be positioned ininterlocking relation in aligned slots in the body forming blank, saidmachine comprising means for receiving the body forming blank inpartially folded condition, means for holding the blank in saidpartially folded condition, means for delivering to said body blankreceiving means a plurality of cross partition forming blanks in spacedparallel edge wise relation, means for inserting said cross par ti'tionforming blanks in transversely aligned pairs of slots in said bodyblank, and means for further moving said cross partition forming blanksrelative to said body forming blank to bring the same into interlockingrelation with side wall portions of said body forming blank.

2. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving thebody blank in partially folded condition comprises a movable mandrel forengaging the body forming blank in one position and moving the same toanother position.

3. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving thebody blank in partially folded condition comprises a mandrel having anaxially extending slot for receiving a folded edge of the body formingblank.

4. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving thebody blank in partially folded condition comprises a movable mandrelhaving an axially extending slot provided with a flared opening forreceiving a folded edge of the body forming blank.

5. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving thebody blank in partially folded condition comprises a mandrel mounted ona transverse oscillatable shaft, said mandrel having an outwardlyopening axially extending slot for receiving a folded edge of the bodyforming blank when said mandrel is in one position, and means foroscillating said shaft to move said mandrel to another position.

6. A machine as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for receiving thebody blank in partially folded condition comprises a rotatable mandrelhaving an outwardly opening axially extending slot for receiving afolded edge of the body forming blank and said mandrel having aplurality of axially spaced transverse slots which are adapted to alignwith the transverse slots in the body forming blank when said blank isreceived on said mandrel.

7. A machine for assembling a cellular carton of the type which ischaracterized by a body blank of generally rectangular shape which isadapted to be folded to form a double-walled medial partition, bottomwalls, side walls and cover flaps and which is further characterized bya plurality of separate cross wall blanks which are adapted to bepositioned in interen'gaging relation in longitudinally spacedtransversely aligned slots in the body blank, which machine comprises amovable mandrel for receiving the body blank in folded condition, meanscooperating with the mandrel for moving the body blank to anotherposition with the blank in partially unfolded condition, means forholding the body blank on said mandrel, means for delivering to saidmandrel a plurality of cross wall forming members in spaced paralleledgewise relation, means for partially inserting said cross wall formingmembers in transversely aligned pairs of slots in said body blank, meanscooperating with said body blank holding means for moving said crosswall members into interlocking relation with one side wall of said bodyblank and for thereafter removing the assembled body blank and crosswall members from the mandrel, and means for folding the other side wallof said body blank into interlocking relation with the cross wallmembers.

8. A machine for assembling and erecting a cellular carton of the typewhich is characterized by a foldable body forming blank and a pluralityof cross partition forming blanks which are adapted to be positioned ininterlocking relation in aligned slots in the body forming blank, saidmachine comprising a mandrel for receiving the body forming blankinfolded condition, means for rotating said mandrel to another position,guide means for preventing movement of one side wall forming portion ofsaid blank, said guide means being cut away to permit movement of theother: side wall portion of said blank whereby said blank is partiallyunfolded by the movement of said mandrel, means for holding said blankin partially unfolded condition, means for delivering to said mandrel aplurality of cross partition forming blanks in spaced parallel edgewiserelation, means for inserting said cross partition forming blanks inaligned pairs of slots in said body blank, and means for folding saidbody forming blank to bring the same into interlocking relation with thepartition forming members.

9. A machine for assembling a cellular carton of the type which ischaracterized by a body blank of generally rectangular shape which isadapted to be folded to form a double-walled medial partition, bottomwalls, side walls and cover flaps and which is further characterized bya plurality of separate cross wall blanks which are adapted to bepositioned in interengaging relation in lon gitudinally spacedtransversely aligned slots in the body blank which machine comprises asupporting frame, an oscillatable mandrel intermediate the ends of saidsupporting frame, means at one end of the machine for delivering bodyblanks which are folded about a medial line toward the mandrel with thefolded edge foremost and to position successive blanks on the mandrel inpartially unfolded condition, as the mandrel moves to another position,a reciprocal head for holding the body blank on said mandrel, aplurality of transversely spaced vertical guideways extending from theother end of the machine to the mandrel, means for delivering to saidguideways a plurality of cross wall forming blanks in edgewise position,means for inserting said cross wall forming blanks in aligned pairs ofslots in the body blank, means for cooperating with said head forengaging said cross wall blanks and moving them into interlockingrelation with a side wall, the medial partition and bottom walls of thebody blank and for thereafter holding the partially assembled body blankand cross wall members on said head as said head moves to anotherposition, and means along the path of movement of said head for foldingthe other side wall of the body blank into interlocking relation withthe cross wall blanks.

10. A machine for assembling a cellular carton which is characterized bya body forming blank having two rows of transversely spacedlongitudinally extending slots arranged on opposite sides of a medialfold line and a plurality of slotted cross wall forming blanks which areinsertable within the slots of the body forming blank for interlockingengagement therewith, said machine comprising a set-up member having anaxially extending outwardly opening. slot therein, means for deliveringa body forming blank which has been folded about the medial line to saidset-up member and inserting the folded edge thereof in said slot, meansfor unfolding the remainder of the body blank to spread the sideportions thereof in a transverse direction relative to said slot withthe slots in the body blank on opposite side portions in transversealignment, means for delivering a row of cross wall blanks in edgewiserelation and in alignment with the slots in the body blank, means forinsertin said cross wall blanks in said slots, means for moving saidcross wall blanks to bring the one side portion of the body blank intointerlocking engagement in slots in said cross wall blanks, and meansfor moving said body blank to bring the other side portion thereof intointerlocking engagement with other slots in said cross wall blanks.

11. A machine as recited in claim 10 wherein the means for deliveringthe cross wall blanks comprises a plurality of compartments forreceiving a supply of blanks in fiatwise relation, guideways extendingfrom each compartment to the set-up member, means for simultaneouslydelivering individual blanks from the compartments, means for turningthe blanks about an edge to bring them into edgewise relation, and meansfor moving the blanks through the guideways to the set-up member.

12. A machine for assembling cellular cartons which are characterized bybody forming blanks having rows of spaced slots on opposite sides of amedial line thereof and slotted cross wall forming blanks which areinsertable within the slots of the body forming blanks for interlockingengagement therewith, said machine comprising a supporting frame, aset-up member having an axially extending outwardly opening slot thereinsupported intermediate the ends of the support-- ing frame, means at oneend of the supporting frame for delivering successive body formingblanks which have been folded about the medial line to said set-upmember and inserting the folded edge thereof in said slot, means forunfolding the remainder of the body blank to spread the side portionsthereof in opposite directions with the rows of slots on the oppositeside portions in transverse alignment, means at the other end of thesupporting frame for assembling rows of cross wall blanks in edgewisetransversely spaced relation and in alignment with said slots and forinserting successive rows of said cross wall blanks in the slots in thesuccessive body blanks, means for moving the cross wall blanks to bringone side portion of the body blanks into interlocking engagement inslots in said cross wall blanks, and means for moving the body blanks tobring the other side portion into interlockin engagement with otherslots in said cross wall blanks.

13. A machine as recited in claim 12 wherein the means for assemblingthe cross wall blanks and inserting them in the slots in the body blankscomprises relatively narrow transversely spaced guideways extending fromthe set-up member toward the other end of the machine, said guidewaysbeing aligned at one end with the slots in the body blank when they areon the set-up member and diverging outwardly at their other ends, across wall blank supply compartment aligned with each guideway at saidother end, means for simultaneously delivering successive blanks fromeach compartment in fiatwise relation, means for turning the blanks onedge, and pusher bars operable to move the blanks in successive rowsthrough the guideways and into the slots in the body blanks on theset-up member.

14. A machine for assembling in erected condition a cellular carton ofthe type which is characterized by a body forming blank adapted to befolded to form a double-walled medial partition, bottom walls, sidewalls and cover flaps and a plurality of cross wall forming blankshaving slots at opposite ends thereof which are adapted to be engaged ininterlocking relation in longitudinally spaced transversely alignedslots in the bottom and side wall portions of the body blank, whichmachine comprises means for positioning and holding the body blank inpartially folded condition with the bottom walls extending in divergingrelation relative to the medial partition wall and the side wallsextending from the bottom walls in generally opposite directions, meansfor delivering the cross wall blanks in edgewise relation and inalignment with the slots in the lil bottom and side walls, means forinserting the cross wall blanks in said slots, means for moving thecross wall blanks relative to the bottom and side walls to engage theone side wall in the slots at one end of the cross Walls, and means tomove the other side wall to engage the same in the slots at the otherend of the cross walls.

15. A machine for assembling in erected condition a cellular carton ofthe type which is characterized by a body forming blank adapted to befolded to form a double-walled medial partition, bottom walls, sidewalls and cover flaps and a plurality of cross wall forming blankshaving slots at opposite ends thereof which are adapted to be engaged ininterlocking relation in longitudinally spaced transversely alignedslots in the bottom and side wall portions of the body blank, whichmachine comprises a mandrel for positioning and holding the body blankin partially folded condition with the bottom walls extending inupwardly diverging relation relative to the medial partition wall andthe side walls extending from the bottom Walls in opposite upward anddownward directions, a folding head operable in an arcuate path formovement toward and. from said mandrel, said folding head engaging thebody blank and holding it on the mandrel at one end of said arcuatemovement, means for delivering the cross wall blanks in edgewiserelation and in alignment with the slots in the bottom and side wallsand for inserting the cross wall blanks in said slots, a gripper barmounted for swinging movement on said folding head and having gripperjaws adapted to engage in gripping relation the uppermost edge of thecross wall blanks when they are inserted in the body slots, means forswinging said gripper bar to grip the cross wall blanks and move thesame relative to the bottom and side Walls to engage the one side wallin the slots at one end of the cross walls, means for thereafter movingthe folding head to the other end of its arcuate path to carry thecarton away from the mandrel and cooperating fixed abutment finger atsaid other end of said path for moving the other side wall of the bodyblank to engage the same in the slots at the other end of the crosswalls.

16. A machine forassembling and erecting a cellular carton of the typewhich is characterized by a body blank of generally rectangular shapewhich is adapted to be folded to form a doublewalled medial partition,bottom walls, side walls and cover flaps and which is furthercharacterized by a plurality of separate cross wall forming blanks whichare adapted to be positioned in interengaging relation in longitudinallyspaced transversely aligned slots in the bottom and side wall formingportions of the body blank, which machine comprises means for feedingthe body blank initially folded about a medial line with the folded edgeforming the leading edge of the blank, means for receiving the foldededge of the b o dy blank and holding the medial partition formingportions of said blank in folded condition, means for opening out theremaining portions of the blank whereby the side wall forming portionsextend in generally opposite directions, means for feeding a pluralityof cross wall blanks in edgewise relation into aligned relation with theslots in said body blank, means for inserting said cross wall blanks insaid slots, means for engaging said cross wall blanks and moving theminto interengaging relation with one side wall forming portion of thebody blank, and means for moving the other side wall forming 19 portionof the body blank into interengaging relation with said cross wall blankto thereby complete the erection of the carton.

1'7. A machine for assembling and erecting a cellular carton of the typewhich is characterized by a body blank of generally rectangular shapewhich is adapted to be folded to form a double-walled medial partition,bottom walls, side walls and cover flaps and which is furthercharacterized by a plurality of separate cross wall forming blanks whichare adapted to be positioned in interengaging relation in longitudinallyspaced transversely aligned slots in the bottom and side wall formingportions of the body blank, which machine comprises means for feedingthe body blank initially folded about a medial line with the folded edgeforming the leading edge of the blank, means for receiving the foldededge of the body blank and holding the medial partition forming portionsof said blank in folded condition, means for moving said body blankreceiving means to another position for opening out the remainingportions of the body blank whereby the side wall forming portions extendin generally opposite directions, means for holding the body blank inopened out condition, means for feeding a plurality of cross wall blanksin edgewise relation into aligned relation with the slots in said bodyblank and for inserting said cross wall blanks in said slots, meanscooperating with said blank holding means for gripping said cross wallblanks and moving them into interengaging relation with one side wallforming portion of the body blank, means for moving said blank holdingmeans and said gripper means to withdraw the carton from said body blankreceiving means, and means in the path of movement thereof for foldingthe other side wall forming portion of the body blank into interengagingrelation with said cross wall blanks to thereby complete the erection ofthe carton.

18. A machine for assembling a plurality of cross wall forming blankswith a body forming blank which is foldable to provide a double-walledmedial partition, bottom walls, side walls and cover flaps, said bottomand side walls being provided with transversely aligned slots forreceiving said cross wall blanks, said machine com prising a framesupporting intermediate its ends a transversely extending foldingmandrel, said mandrel being provided with an axially extending outwardlyopening slot and axially spaced transverse slots, 9. blank supplycompartment at one end of said supporting frame adapted to receive astack of body forming blanks which have been folded about a transversemedial line, a delivery mechanism for delivering successive blanks inflatwise relation from said compartment to said mandrel and forinserting the folded edge of the blank in the slot in sad mandrel, sideguide elements for holding the blank in folded condition while it isbeing delivered to said mandrel, means for rotating said mandrelapproximately a quarter turn to withdraw one side of the body blank fromsaid guide elements and open out the body blank, a folding head mountedfor movement in a direction laterally of the path of movement of thebody blank toward and from said mandrel, said head being adapted in oneposition to clamp said body blank in opened out position against saidmandrel, cross wall blank supply compartments at the other end of themachine, mechanism for delivering said cross wall blanks from saidcompartments to said mandrel for insertion in aligned slots in thebottom and side wall forming portions of said body blank while it isbeing held between said mandrel and said head, mechanism movably mountedon said head for gripping said cross wall blanks and moving them intointerengaging relation with the medial partition and a side wall of saidbody blank, means for thereafter moving said head to remove thepartially assembled carton from said mandrel, and mechanism in the pathof move-, ment of said head for moving the other side wall of the bodyblank into interengaging relation with said cross wall blanks.

19. A machine for assembling a plurality of cross wall forming blankswith a body forming blank which is foldable to provide a double-walledmedial partition, bottom walls, side walls and cover flaps, said bottomand side walls being provided with transversely aligned slots forreceiving said cross wall blanks, said machine comprising a framesupporting intermediate its ends a transversely extending rotatablymounted folding mandrel, said mandrel being provided with an axiallyextending radial slot having a flared opening and a plurality of axiallyspaced transversely extending slots, a blank supply mechanism at one endof said supporting frame adapted to receive a stack of body formingblanks which have been folded about a transverse medial line, a deliverymechanism including cooperating feed rollers for delivering successiveblanks in flatwise relation toward said folding mandrel and forinserting the folded edge of the blank in the axially extending slot inthe folding mandrel, vertically spaced side guide plates for holding theblank in folded condition while it is being delivered to said mandrel,means for rotating said mandrel upwardly approximately a quarter turn towithdraw one side of the body blank from said feed rollers and saidguide plates and permit the body blank to open out, a folding headmounted for generally vertical movement toward and from said mandrel,said folding head clamping said body blank in opened out positionagainst said mandrel at one end of its movement, cross wall blank supplymechanisms at the other end of the machine, guideways between saidsupply mechanisms and the mandrel, means for delivering cross wallblanks through said guideways for insertion in aligned slots in thebottom and side wall forming portions of said body blank while it isbeing clamped against said mandrel by said folding head, mechanismpivotally mounted on said folding head for gripping the uppermostmargins of the cross wall blanks and forcing them into interengagingrelation with the medial partition and a side Wall of the body blank,said folding head being thereafter movable to the other end of its pathto remove the partially assembled carton from the mandrel, and fixedabutment members in the path of movement of said head for engagementwith the other side wall of the body blank to move the same intointerengaging relation with said cross wall blanks.

20. A machine for assembling cellular cartons which are characterized bya foldable body blank having spaced rows of slots therein and slottedcross wall blanks which are insertable within the slots of the bodyblank for interlocking engagement therewith, said machine comprising asupporting frame, a rotatable set-up member mounted on a transverse axisintermediate the ends of said supporting frame, said set-up memherhaving an axially extending outwardly opening slot therein, means at oneend of the machine for delivering a body blank which has been folded

